Container for shaving cartridge or other stored item

ABSTRACT

Sealed package that includes a formed plastic container, a shaving cartridge (or other stored unit) in a storage region in the container, and a removable film that covers and is sealed to a sealing surface around an entrance to the storage region. Side walls of the container have retaining structure that protrudes inward and retains the shaving cartridge (or other stored unit). The container has a lip adjacent to and extending from a side wall of the container at an entrance to the storage region to space a user&#39;s finger or thumb from the entrance during removal of the cartridge. The removable film has deadfold characteristics which facilitate removal of the cartridge when the film is still partially connected at the rear of the container. A plastic tab is attached to a portion of the film extending beyond the sealing surface of the container to initiate peeling of the film from the sealing surface. The plastic tab is spaced from the formed plastic container by a gap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to an application entitled “StorageDevice for Shaving Razor, Cartridges or Other Stored Items,” U.S. Ser.No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to containers for storing items such asshaving cartridges.

[0003] Shaving cartridges are typically sold in plastic dispenserscontaining a plurality of shaving cartridges located in respectivesections of the container.

Applicants' Statement of Acknowledged Prior Art

[0004] It is known in the art of packaging snacks and condiments to havea rectangular formed plastic container generally in the shape of an openbox with a peripheral rim, covered by a plastic foil sealed around therim, and a pull tab which is then formed by a slitting knife shearingone corner of the rim diagonally such that the triangular tab remainsattached to the sealing foil with no appreciable space between thetriangular tab and the adjacent portion of the rim. For example, suchpackages have been used to package snacks that have been available inthe United States under the trade designation “Phileas Fogg”. Such priorart package is depicted in the accompanying FIGS. 1-2 labeled “priorart.” Applicants understand the plastic container 100 is formed of afood-compatible thermoplastic with a rim 102 formed around the foursides (the rim being generally the same width on opposite sides, but ofslightly different widths on adjacent sides), has a plastic coveringfilm 104 sealed around the rim, the film being metallic-colored(believed to be by vacuum deposition) on the underside and printed withproduct information on the outside, and the pull tab 106 remainingadhered to the film when it is peeled back. Applicants have recognizedthat when the plastic film is peeled back from the plastic container butnot completely removed therefrom and then let go, the film falls awayfrom the position shown in FIG. 2 back to block the opening, and thuscompletely lacks any “deadfold” capability to leave the openingaccessible as that term is discussed hereinbelow. It is known, however,that plastic food pack films have moisture and gas barrier properties toprotect the product from becoming stale.

[0005] The acknowledged prior art also includes bendable metal foil usedto cover plastic containers for patty-sized portions of butter, orsimilar packages for condiments or preserves such as have been availablein the United States under the name Knotts Berry Farm Foods, Inc.(Placentia, Calif.); these containers also have a corner pull tab thathas been provided by slitting a rim portion. The laminate cover foil isunderstood to be thin metal foil coated outside with plastic (withprinted graphics) and having a heat seal adhesive under layer. Theplastic coating merely provides moisture and gas barrier properties. Thefoil of these containers can be peeled back but must be made of metal soas to permit being permanently deformed.

[0006] The acknowledged prior art further includes a polyester coatedpaper layer with a sealant under layer such as hot melt adhesive, suchas used in 6-pack individual serving yogurt containers such as believedto have been available in the United States under the name Yoplait. Thepolyester helps one-piece removal. The paper has some minimal ability toremain folded back, but lacks moisture barrier properties because it isabsorbent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one aspect, the invention features, in general, a sealedpackage that includes a formed plastic container, a shaving cartridge(or other stored unit) in a storage region in the container, and aremovable film that covers and is sealed to a sealing surface around anentrance to the storage region. Side walls of the container haveretaining structure that protrudes inward and retains the shavingcartridge (or other stored unit).

[0008] In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a sealedpackage that contains a shaving cartridge in a formed plastic containerthat is sealed by a removable film. The container has a lip adjacent toand extending from a side wall of the container at an entrance thestorage region to space a user's finger or thumb from the entranceduring removal of the cartridge.

[0009] In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a sealedpackage that contains a shaving cartridge in a formed plastic containerthat is sealed by a removable film. The film has deadfoldcharacteristics which facilitate removal of the cartridge when the filmis still partially connected at the rear of the container.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a sealedpackage that contains a stored unit in a formed plastic container thatis sealed by a removable film. A plastic tab is attached to a portion ofthe film extending beyond the sealing surface of the container toinitiate peeling of the film from the sealing surface. The plastic tabis spaced from the formed plastic container by a gap.

[0011] Particular embodiments of the invention may include one or moreof the following features. The blades of the cartridge face away fromthe entrance to the storage region. The container has a ramp structurethat leads from the lip on the container to the cartridge in the storageregion. The container has support members on the bottom wall thatsupport the cartridge in a desired orientation; the support members havea curved surface that matches the upper surface profile of thecartridge. The cartridge retaining structures on the side walls of thecontainer have inclined surfaces facing the entrance and the bottomwall. The container is transparent. The container has a plurality ofprotruding finger gripping ridges on one or more exterior surfaces; theridges on some surfaces have an indented profile to accommodate a user'sfingers. The plastic tab connected to the removable film has a grippingridge extending from a surface. The plastic tab is located at a cutoutregion at the lip of the container. The tab has the shape of a halfmoon. The removable film is more flexible than the walls of the formedplastic container. The film is adhered to the container with a removalforce greater than 1.5 Newtons (preferably 3-5 Newtons). The filmcarries printing on an internal surface between film layers. The film isheat sealed or radio frequency (RF) sealed to the sealing surface of thecontainer.

[0012] In another aspect, the invention features, in general, a packagecomponent including a formed plastic container defining a storage regionand a sealing surface around an entrance to the region, a plastic tabthat is adjacent to the sealing surface, and a temporary connector thatconnects the tab to the plastic container.

[0013] Particular embodiments of the package component may have one ormore of the following features. The temporary connector has a firstportion that extends transversely from a tab edge, a second portion thatextends from the first portion generally parallel to the container edgeand the tab edge, and a third portion that extends transversely from thecontainer edge to the second portion, resulting in a hoop shapeconnector. The temporary connector is molded at the same time as theformed plastic container and the tab. Alternatively, the temporaryconnector could be a frangible bridge portion of plastic.

[0014] In other aspects, the invention features, in general, methods ofmaking the sealed packages as described and methods of using the sealedpackages as described.

[0015] Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of thefollowing advantages. The sealed package protects the cartridge frommoisture, shaving preparation products such as soaps, foams and gels,and cleaning agents when the package is stored in a shower or bath tubarea prior to usage. The hoop bridge members can be easily severed witha single cut along the outside of the package. The inclined surfacesguide the cartridge to the desired position when loaded into the storageregion. The support members and retaining structure hold the cartridgein a desired position for attachment to a handle. The plastic tabsprovide a good gripping member for initiating peeling. The deadfoldcharacteristics prevent a partially removed foil from interfering withconnection of the handle to the cartridge. The ramp structure guides thehandle to the connecting portion of the cartridge contained in thecontainer. The lip protects the user's fingers or thumb from the cuttingedges of the blade during removal of the cartridge from the container.

[0016] Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of the embodiments of theinvention and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealed package in a partiallyopened condition with a shaving cartridge in the package.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a formed plastic container of theFIG. 1 package.

[0019]FIG. 3 is an sectional view, taken at 3-3 of FIG. 2, of the FIG. 2plastic container.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a top view of the FIG. 2 plastic container.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the FIG. 2 plastic container.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a rear elevation of the FIG. 2 plastic container.

[0023]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the FIG. 2 plastic container.

[0024]FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view, taken at 8-8 of FIG. 4,showing a connecting bridge structure of the FIG. 4 container.

[0025]FIG. 9 is a partial plan view showing an alternative to the bridgestructure.

[0026] FIGS. 10-11 show a prior art sealed food container.

[0027]FIG. 12 shows the layered structure of the removable film of theFIG. 1 package.

[0028] FIGS. 13-14 shows a handle being connected to a razor cartridgecontained in the FIG. 1 package.

[0029]FIG. 15 shows an opened cover sheet of the FIG. 3 packageremaining in a stable first exemplary peeled back condition; and

[0030]FIG. 16 shows an opened cover sheet of the FIG. 3 packageremaining in a stable second exemplary peeled back condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown sealed package 10 includingformed plastic container 12, cover sheet 14, and shaving cartridge 16stored inside container 12 in storage region 18. FIG. 2 shows container12 prior to attachment of cover sheet 14. Container 12 has a sealingsurface 20 surrounding the entrance 22 to storage region 18, and coversheet 14 is sealed to sealing surface 20. Plastic tabs 24 (only one isshown in FIG. 1) are attached to an undersurface at two corners of coversheet 14. Plastic tabs 24 are used to initiate peeling of sheet 14.Prior to peeling, plastic tabs 24 are located in cutaway portions 26(FIG. 1) that are located at the ends of lip 28, which extends along oneside of container 12. As can be seen from FIG. 2, there is a curved gap29 between tab 24 and lip 28.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, container 12 has finger grippingridges 30 on the two ends (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) and relieved portions 32providing vertical gripping portions 34 on front surface 35 (FIGS. 1, 2,5 and 7) and relieved portions 36 providing gripping ridges 38 on rearsurface 40 (FIGS. 6 and 7). As can perhaps best be seen from the bottomview in FIG. 7, the end gripping ridges 30 extend further outward thanthe middle gripping ridges 30 such that the outermost surfaces of thegripping ridges have an overall indented profile to better accommodatethe user's fingers.

[0033]FIGS. 2 and 4 show a plastic container 12 prior to filling withshaving cartridge 16 and sealing sheet 14 thereover. At this stage inthe manufacture, plastic tabs 24 are part of container 12 and connectedthereto by internal bridge members 46, which are best shown in FIGS. 4and 8. Bridge members 46 are thin, frangible members that are strongenough to hold tabs 24 in place during handling prior to sealing, butweak enough to easily break when a user lifts a tab 24 to initiatepeeling of cover 14. (The lips could be relieved mechanically or atleast partially severed to provide alternative bridge members.) Tabs 24have circumferential ridges 25 at the outer edges to facilitate grippingby a user's finger. (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7).

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, it is seen that lip 28 is connected toside wall 48 of the container by an angled ramp structure 50 that leadsto cartridge connecting structure 52 (FIG. 1) of cartridge 16. Asuitable cartridge 16 is described in U.S. Ser. No. 09/066,499, filedApr. 24, 1998, (hereby incorporated by reference). U.S. Des. Pat. No.D407,851 describes a handle that mates with cartridge_16. Duringconnection of a razor handle (FIG. 13) to cartridge 16, the connectingend of the handle is brought over lip 28, and ramp 50 tends to guide theend of the handle into connecting structure 52 (FIG. 1). Upon connectionof cartridge 16, the handle is retracted, and cartridge 16 is removedfrom container 12. Lip 28 protects the user's thumb and fingers frombeing cut by the blades of cartridge 16 during retraction from container12.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 it is seen that container 12 has twosupporting members 51, which have curved, concave upper surfaces 53matching the profile of the top surface of the blade unit of cartridge16 in order to support cartridge 16 in the desired position. Supportingmembers 51 support the edge portions of cartridge 16 outside of theblades of cartridge 16. When stored in container 12, the cutting edgesof the blades face downward. Detents 54, 56 protrude inward fromrespective side walls 48, 58. Both detents 54, 56 have upper inclinedsurfaces 60 facing entrance 22 and lower inclined surfaces 62 facingbottom wall 64. As the 35 cartridge is loaded into container 12, thecartridge slightly deforms the container walls as it moves over inclinedsurfaces 60 and snaps past detents 54, 56. The cartridge also slightlydeforms the container walls as the cartridge moves past inclinedsurfaces 62 during removal from the container 12. Detents 54 hold theguard portion of cartridge 16 down, and detents 56 hold the cap portionof the razor cartridge down.

[0036] In manufacture, container 12 is injection molded frompolypropylene. Other materials that can be use for container 12 includepolystyrene (particularly crystalline polystyrene, high impactpolystyrene (HIPS) or medium impact polystyrene (MIPS)), polycarbonate,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Nylon, and SAN. In usingmaterials other than polypropylene, one skilled in the art would selectan appropriate sealing layer material for sealing layer 118 (shown inFIG. 12 and discussed below). After forming container 12, a cartridge 16is loaded into a container 12 with the blade unit snapping beyonddetents 54, 56 and resting on upper surface 53 in a desired connectingposition with cartridge connecting structure 52 adjacent to ramp 50 nearlip 28. Then cover sheet 14 is sealed to upper sealing surface 20 and tothe upper surfaces of plastic tabs 24 by heat welding. Alternatively,radio frequency sealing could be employed.

[0037] Container 12 is made from transparent plastic to permit visualinspection of the cartridges therein. Cover sheet 14 is printable, andcan carry instructions for opening and use of a cartridge. Cover sheet14 is made of a laminate as shown in FIG. 5 (not to scale). The laminatecomprises 0.48 mil thick (0.012 mm, 48 gauge) PET upper layer 112 (whichis reverse printed), 0.50 mil thick (0.013 mm, 50 gauge, alternativelyreferred to as “7.5 lbs./ream”) polyethylene (preferably LDPE) layer 114thereunder (which is preferably white for opacity, but couldalternatively be transparent), 1.15 mil thick (0.029 mm, 115 gauge)oriented high density polyethylene layer (HDPE) 116 thereunder, 0.1 milthick (approximately) (also referred to as about “2 lbs./ream”)polyester-urethane adhesive layer 117 thereunder, and 1.25 mil thick(0.32 mm) coextruded LDPE-EVA(28%) lower sealing layer 118 thereunder,the lower EVA portion of which heat bonds to container 12.

[0038] In sheet 14, the HDPE layer, and to a lesser extent the LDPElayer, provide moisture barrier properties and deadfold characteristics.PET provides bulk and clarity and protection for the printing on itslower surface. PET also provides structural integrity for the laminateso as to avoid tearing and provide one-piece removal of the laminate.PET is selected that preferably withstands an accelerated testing regimeof a 100° F. hot water bath for 24 hours without delamination. Thepolyethylene layer (preferably LDPE) acts as a bonding layer to join theHDPE layer and the PET layer. The PET is chemically primed for use withthe LDPE which is applied hot (about 600° F.) as the bonding layerbetween PET and HDPE. The polyethylene layer (preferably LDPE) ispreferably opaque, in particular white, to provide a background colorfor the printing, and provides opacity to present an aesthetically moreuniform appearance between regions that are heat-affected by sealing andthose regions further from the sealing surface. The polyester-urethanelayer 117, which is very thin and less than 1 mil, preferably only about0.1 mil, acts as a bonding layer to join the HDPE layer 116 and theLDPE-EVA sealing layer 118. The LDPE-EVA of layer 118 is particularlysuited for providing a seal to polypropylene in container 12. It isunderstood that the amount of EVA in the sealing layer 118 can be varieddepending on the material of container 12. It is further understood thatif using radio frequency or ultrasonic sealing, it would be possible toomit a distinct lower sealing layer 118. The sealing layer 118 ispreferably not thicker than 1.25 mil or else its bulk may outstrip thedeadfold capability of the HDPE layer to remain peeled back.

[0039] “Deadfold” characteristics for the laminate are provided by theLDPE and HDPE layers, primarily the HDPE layer. The deadfoldcharacteristics are such that when cover sheet 14 is peeled open with aportion still attached to the container 12, and then released by theuser's hand, sheet 14 remains folded back or bended back after opening,as is shown in FIGS. 13-16, to permit easy access to the cartridge. Inthe case of stored articles that could be accessed by a user's hands,the deadfold characteristic is such that there is substantiallyunobstructed access to a digit of the hand while accessing the articleinside. In general, as is shown in FIG. 16, sufficient deadfold resultswhen the angle between the removed portion and sealing surface 22 isgreater than 30° and most preferably greater than 45° (schematicallydepicted in dotted line positions) . Viewed another way, as shown forexample in FIG. 15 or 16, sufficient deadfold results in the removedportion of the cover sheet remaining behind a position to expose atleast halfway the area of the entrance to the container to permitsubstantially unimpeded access to a stored object. Preferably, as isshown in FIG. 15, the removed portion of the cover sheet generallyremains behind a midline through the container half-way between sidesurfaces. In particular, cover sheet 14 remains folded back sufficientlysuch that the handle is substantially unobstructed while connecting tothe cartridge, and the cartridge can be removed without a substantialimpediment.

[0040] The moisture vapor barrier properties are provided by the LDPEand HDPE layers, primarily the HDPE layer. The moisture barrier propertyof the sheet can be expressed in terms of the Moisture VaporTransmission Rate (MVTR) being less than or equal to about 0.16 gm ofwater per 100 square inches per 24 hours, under conditions of 100° F.(37.8° C.) and 90% relative humidity.

[0041] The use of the HDPE layer together with the LDPE layeradvantageously provides the desired combination of deadfoldcharacteristics and moisture barrier properties. Further, the coversheet is improved by the use of the LDPE layer being sandwiched betweenan outer PET layer and the HDPE layer to give the additional benefit ofprotecting the film integrity, such as the resistance to tearing andintegrity of the printing.

[0042] The plastic sheet structure of cover 14, rather than metal foil,is preferred because it meets EAS requirements. In an EAS system, smalltags (which commonly contain metal inside them) on the products aredeactivated at time of payment so as to not set off an alarm when apaying customer leaves the store. If metal foil were used on a packagecontaining a shaving cartridge, the combination of metal foil and metalblades in close proximity could interfere with proper functioning of theEAS tag.

[0043] Cover sheet 14 maintains structural integrity and does notdelaminate, does not tear when being removed (i.e., is removable in onepiece), and does not degrade in the presence of water and householdcleaning agents (which, e.g., might be used in a bath tub) or shavingpreparation products, protects articles stored therein from moisture andcleaning agents, has desired deadfold characteristics for ease ofproduct removal, is printable, and does not interfere with EAS systems.

[0044] Cover sheet 14 is adhered to container 12 to have a predeterminedinitial peel force. Peel force is determined by supporting container 12such that cover sheet 14 is in a vertical plane with the corner tabbeing directed downward, and a diagonal from that corner to the oppositecorner being aligned vertically. Container 12 is maintained in thisposition by a fixture, while the tab at the lower corner is connected toa force versus distance measurement machine (available under the Instrontrade designation) and pulled upward by the machine. The resultingdistance versus force graph typically has a single peak, being theinitial peel force of interest, of about 3-5 lb. (13.6-22.7N) at sealingtemperatures from 160° C.-215° C. The preferred sealing temperature isabout 175° C.

[0045] In use, a user bends plastic tabs 24 to break bridges 46 and thenpulls back along the surface of the cover sheet to initiate peeling. Theuser can grip the gripping ridges 30 at the two ends of the container oralternatively grip the ridges 34, 38 at the front and the back. The userthen connects the handle (not shown) to cartridge connecting structure52, and removes cartridge 16. Detents 56 act as a pivot as cartridge 16is removed. If the front and the back ridges 34, 38 are gripped by theuser, lip 28 protects the user's thumb or fingers from being cut by theblades during removal of the cartridge.

[0046] Other embodiments of the invention are within the scope of theclaims. For example, FIG. 9 (describing the preferred embodiment) showsthe use of hoops 100 that extend outward from tabs 24 and the side ofcontainer 12 to provide a temporary connecting structure. After coversheet has been sealed to container 12 and tabs 24, hoops 100 can each betrimmed with a single cut parallel to the sides of the container 12 oredge of lip 28. In addition, tabs 24 and container can be made from thesame material or different material, and the temporary connectors, e.g.,hoops 100, could be made of the same or different material. Tabs couldbe made of elastomeric material to provide a better grip surface.Besides angled detents 54, 56, other protruding structure could be usedto hold a cartridge in a desired position. Cover sheet 14 could, in someapplications, be made of metal foil, which will have the desireddeadfold characteristics.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0047] sealed package 10

[0048] formed plastic container 12

[0049] cover sheet 14

[0050] shaving cartridge 16

[0051] storage region 18

[0052] sealing surface 20

[0053] entrance 22

[0054] plastic tabs 24

[0055] circumferential ridges 25

[0056] cutaway portions 26

[0057] lip 28

[0058] curved gap 29

[0059] finger gripping ridges 30

[0060] relieved portions 32

[0061] vertical gripping portions 34

[0062] front surface 35

[0063] relieved portions 36

[0064] gripping ridges 38

[0065] rear surface 40

[0066] internal bridge members 46

[0067] side wall 48

[0068] angled ramp structure 50

[0069] supporting members 51

[0070] cartridge connecting structure 52

[0071] concave upper surfaces 53

[0072] detents 54, 56

[0073] upper inclined surfaces 60

[0074] lower inclined surfaces 62

[0075] bottom wall 64

[0076] hoops 100

[0077] plastic container 101

[0078] rim 102

[0079] plastic covering film 104

[0080] pull tab 106

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealed package comprising a formed plasticcontainer defining a storage region and having a sealing surface aroundan entrance to said region, said container having a bottom wall and atleast two opposed side walls each of which has retaining structureprotruding inward therefrom, a shaving cartridge contained within saidstorage region and retained by said retaining structure, said cartridgeincluding a plastic housing and a plurality of blades, and a removablefilm that is sealed to said sealing surface and covers said entrance. 2.A package comprising a formed plastic container defining a storageregion defined by a bottom wall and side walls extending upward fromsaid bottom wall, said container having an entrance to said storageregion, a shaving cartridge in said storage region in position forconnection to a handle, said cartridge including a plastic housing and aplurality of blades, and a lip adjacent to and extending from one saidside wall at said entrance to space a user's finger or thumb from saidentrance during removal of said cartridge from said region.
 3. A sealedpackage comprising a formed plastic container defining a storage regionand having a sealing surface around an entrance to said region, ashaving cartridge in said storage region in position for connection to ahandle, said cartridge including a plastic housing and a plurality ofblades, and a removable film that is sealed to said sealing surface andcovers said entrance, said film having deadfold characteristics.
 4. Asealed package comprising a formed plastic container defining a storageregion and having a sealing surface around an entrance to said region, astored unit in said storage region, said unit being removable as anentire unit, a removable film that is sealed to said sealing surface andcovers said entrance, and a plastic tab that is spaced by a gap fromsaid formed plastic container and is attached to a portion of said filmextending beyond said sealing surface for initiating peeling of saidfilm from said sealing surface.
 5. A sealed package comprising a formedplastic container defining a storage region defined by a bottom wall andside walls and having a sealing surface around an entrance to saidregion, a stored unit in said storage region, said unit being removableas an entire unit, retaining structure formed on the inside of saidcontainer and extending inward from said side surfaces, said retainingstructure retaining said stored unit in a desired position in saidcontainer, and a removable film that is sealed to said sealing surfaceand covers said entrance.
 6. The package of claim 1, 3, 4 or 5 whereinsaid film comprises a plastic film that is configured as a laminate andhas at least one structural layer.
 7. The package of claim 4 whereinsaid stored unit is a shaving cartridge.
 8. The package of claim 1 or 2wherein said blades of said cartridge face away from said entrance. 9.The package of claim 1, 3 or 5 further comprising a plastic tab attachedto a portion of said film extending beyond said sealing surface forinitiating peeling of said film from said sealing surface.
 10. Thepackage of claim 1 wherein said container has a ramp structure leadingto said cartridge in said region.
 11. The package of claim 2 whereinsaid container includes a ramp structure connecting said lip to a saidside wall and leading to said cartridge in said region.
 12. The packageof claim 2 further comprising a retaining structure formed on the insideof said container retaining said shaving cartridge in a desired positionin said container.
 13. The package of claim 1 wherein said container hasa support member on said bottom wall supporting said cartridge in adesired orientation, said retaining structure being located on a saidside wall of said container at an elevation higher than said supportmember.
 14. The package of claim 13 wherein said bottom wall is flat,and there are a plurality of said support members on said bottom wallsupporting said cartridge in a desired orientation.
 15. The package ofclaim 14 wherein said cartridge has a nonlinear upper surface profileand wherein the upper surfaces of said support members match saidnonlinear upper surface profile.
 16. The package of claim 14 whereinsaid cartridge has a curved, convex upper surface profile and whereinthe upper surfaces of said support members are curved and concave so asto match said curved upper surface profile.
 17. The package of claim 1or 5 wherein said retaining structure has an inclined surface withrespect to a said side wall facing said entrance.
 18. The package ofclaim 1 or 5 wherein said retaining structure has an inclined surfacewith respect to a said side wall facing said bottom wall.
 19. Thepackage of claim 2 wherein said side walls include opposing side walls,said bottom wall is flat, and said container has a ramp structureconnecting said lip to a said side wall and leading to said cartridge insaid region, further comprising a plurality of support members on saidbottom wall supporting said cartridge in a desired orientation, andretaining structure protruding inward from said opposing side wallsretaining said shaving cartridge in a desired position in said containeron said support members.
 20. The package of claim 19 wherein saidcartridge has a curved convex, upper surface profile, and wherein theupper surfaces of said support members are curved and concave so as tomatch said upper surface profile.
 21. The package of claim 1, 2, or 3wherein said container is transparent.
 22. The package of claim 1 or 2wherein said container has a plurality of protruding finger grippingridges on one or more exterior surfaces.
 23. The package of claim 1 or 2wherein said container has a plurality of protruding finger grippingridges on one or more exterior surfaces, said ridges having an indentedprofile to accommodate a user's fingers.
 24. The package of claim 4 or 7wherein said tab has a gripping ridge extending from a surface.
 25. Thepackage of claim 1, 3 or 5 further comprising a plastic tab attached toa portion of said film extending beyond said sealing surface forinitiating peeling of said film from said sealing surface, wherein saidtab has a gripping ridge extending from a surface around the outerportion of said tab.
 26. The package of claim 7 wherein said containerhas a lip adjacent to and extending from said entrance, said lip havinga cutout portion at an end of said lip, and wherein said tab is locatedat said cutout portion.
 27. The package of claim 7 wherein said tab isin the shape of a half moon.
 28. The package of claim 1, 2 or 3 whereinsaid plastic container is made of a polyolefin.
 29. The package of claim1, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said film is more flexible than said walls of saidformed plastic container.
 30. The package of claim 1, 3, 4, or 5 whereinsaid film is adhered to said container with an initial peel forcegreater than 1.5 Newtons.
 31. The package of claim 1, 3, 4, or 5 whereinsaid film is adhered to said container with an initial peel forcegreater than 3.0 to 5.0 Newtons.
 32. The package of claim 1, 3, 4, or 5wherein said film has deadfold characteristics
 33. The package of claim1 or 3 wherein said film has an internal surface carrying printing. 34.The package of claim 1 or 3 wherein said film is heat sealed or RFsealed to said sealing surface.
 35. A package component comprising aformed plastic container defining a storage region and a sealing surfacearound an entrance to said region, a plastic tab that is adjacent tosaid sealing surface, and a first temporary connector that connects saidtab to said plastic container.
 36. The package component of claim 35wherein said tab has a tab edge that is in line with a container edge,and wherein said first temporary connector has a first portion thatextends transversely from said tab edge, a second portion that extendsfrom said first portion generally parallel to said container edge andsaid tab edge, and a third portion that extends transversely from saidcontainer edge to said second portion, whereby said first temporaryconnector can be trimmed by a single cut made parallel to said containeredge.
 37. The package component of claim 35 or 36 wherein said temporaryconnector is molded at the same time as said formed plastic containerand said tab.
 38. The package component of claim 35 wherein saidcontainer has a bottom wall and side walls extending upward from saidbottom wall and defining said storage region, and further comprising alip adjacent to and extending from a first said side wall at saidentrance, said lip having a cutout portion at an end of said lip, andwherein said tab is located at said cutout portion.
 39. The package ofclaim 38 wherein said tab has a first tab edge that is in line with alip edge, and a second tab edge that is transverse to said first tabedge and is in line with a container edge at a second said side wallthat is adjacent to and transverse to said first side wall.
 40. Thepackage of claim 39 further comprising a second temporary connector thatconnects said tab to said plastic container.
 41. The package of claim 40wherein said first temporary connector has a first portion that extendstransversely from said first tab edge, a second portion that extendsfrom said first portion generally parallel to said lip edge and saidfirst tab edge, and a third portion that extends transversely from saidlip edge to said second portion, and said second temporary connector hasa first portion that extends transversely from said second tab edge, asecond portion that extends from said first portion generally parallelto said container edge and said second tab edge, and a third portionthat extends transversely from said container edge to said secondportion, whereby said first and second temporary connectors can betrimmed by respective single cuts parallel to said lip edge and saidcontainer edge.
 42. The package component of claim 41 wherein said firstand second temporary connectors are molded at the same time as saidformed plastic container and said tab.
 43. The package component ofclaim 35 wherein said temporary connector is a frangible bridge portionof plastic.
 44. The package component of claim 43 wherein there is aninterface between said tab and said container, and said frangible bridgeportion is at a discrete location along said interface.
 45. The packagecomponent of claim 43 wherein there is an interface between said tab andsaid container, and said frangible bridge portion extends along at leasta majority of said interface.
 46. The package component of claim 35wherein said temporary connector and tab are of a different materialthan said container, and wherein said container, tab, and temporaryconnector are provided by two-component molding.
 47. The packagecomponent of claim 35 further comprising a removable film that is sealedto said sealing surface and covers said entrance, said film also beingsecured to said tab.
 48. The package component of claim 47 wherein saidfilm is secured to said tab by sealing to said tab during the sameoperation in which said film is sealed to said sealing surface.
 49. Thepackage component of claim 35 wherein said container has a plurality ofprotruding finger gripping ridges on one or more exterior surfaces. 50.The package component of claim 35 wherein said container has a pluralityof protruding finger gripping ridges on one or more exterior surfaces,said ridges having an indented profile to accommodate a user's fingers.51. The package component of claim 35 wherein said tab has a grippingridge extending from a surface.
 52. The package component of claim 38wherein said container is sized to store a shaving cartridge andincludes a ramp structure connecting said lip to a said side wall andleading to said cartridge in said region.
 53. A method of making asealed package comprising providing a formed plastic container defininga storage region and a sealing surface around an entrance to saidregion, said storage region being defined by at least two opposed sidewalls each of which has retaining structure protruding inward therefrom,placing a shaving cartridge in said storage region, said shavingcartridge having a plastic housing and a plurality of blades, retainingsaid cartridge by in said storage region by contacting said retainingstructure, and sealing a removable film to said sealing surface so as tocover said entrance.
 54. The method of claim 53 wherein said providingincludes providing said container with a support member on a bottom wallof said container, and wherein said placing includes placing saidcartridge on said support member and supporting said cartridge in adesired orientation.
 55. The method of claim 54 wherein said retainingstructure has an inclined surface with respect to said side wall facingsaid entrance.
 56. The method of claim 54 wherein said retainingstructure has an inclined surface with respect to said side wall facingaway from said entrance.
 57. The method of claim 53 further comprisingattaching a plastic tab to a portion of said film extending beyond saidsealing surface for initiating peeling of said film from said sealingsurface.
 58. The method of claim 53 wherein said providing includesproviding a plastic tab adjacent to said sealing surface, said plastictab being connected to said container with a temporary connector, andwherein said sealing further comprises sealably attaching said tab to aportion of said film extending beyond said sealing surface, and furthercomprising, after said sealing, disconnecting said temporary connector.59. The method of claim 53 wherein said temporary connector is made ofplastic, and said providing includes forming said plastic tab andtemporary connector simultaneously with forming of said plasticcontainer.
 60. The method of claim 59 wherein said temporary connectoris a frangible bridge portion, and said disconnecting includes breakingsaid frangible bridge portion.
 61. The method of claim 59 wherein saidtab has a tab edge that is in line with a container edge, and whereinsaid first temporary connector has a first portion that extendstransversely from said tab edge, a second portion that extends from saidfirst portion generally parallel to said container edge and said tabedge, and a third portion that extends transversely from said containeredge to said second portion, and wherein said disconnecting includestrimming said temporary connector from said container and said tab by asingle cut made parallel to said container edge.
 62. A method of makinga sealed package comprising providing a formed plastic containerdefining a storage region and a sealing surface around an entrance tosaid region, placing a unit in said storage region, said unit beingremovable as an entire unit, sealing a removable film to said sealingsurface so as to cover said entrance, and attaching a plastic tab to aportion of said film extending beyond said sealing surface forinitiating peeling of said film from said sealing surface.
 63. Themethod of claim 62 wherein said providing includes providing saidplastic tab adjacent to said sealing surface, said plastic tab beingconnected to said container with a temporary connector, and wherein saidattaching comprises sealing said tab to a portion of said film extendingbeyond said sealing surface during the same operation in which said filmis sealed to said sealing surface, and further comprising, after saidsealing, disconnecting said temporary connector.
 64. The method of claim63 wherein said temporary connector is made of plastic, and saidproviding includes forming said plastic tab and temporary connector inthe same operation as forming said plastic container.
 65. The method ofclaim 64 wherein said temporary connector is a frangible bridge portion,and said disconnecting includes breaking said frangible bridge portion.66. The method of claim 65 wherein there is an interface between saidtab and said container, and said frangible bridge portion is at adiscrete location along said interface.
 67. The method of claim 65wherein there is an interface between said tab and said container, andsaid frangible bridge portion extends along at least a majority of saidinterface.
 68. The method of claim 64 wherein said tab has a tab edgethat is in line with a container edge, and wherein said first temporaryconnector has a first portion that extends transversely from said tabedge, a second portion that extends from said first portion generallyparallel to said container edge and said tab edge, and a third portionthat extends transversely from said container edge to said secondportion, and wherein said disconnecting includes trimming said temporaryconnector from said container and said tab by a single cut made parallelto said container edge.
 69. A method of providing a shaving cartridge ona razor comprising providing a sealed package including a formed plasticcontainer containing a shaving cartridge in a storage region and aremovable film sealed to a sealing surface of said container around anentrance to said storage region, said cartridge including a plastichousing and a plurality of blades, peeling said film from said sealingsurface to provide access to said shaving cartridge, and attaching saidcartridge to a handle.
 70. The method of claim 69 wherein said peelinginvolves peeling with an initial peel force exceeding 1.5 Newtons. 71.The method of claim 69 wherein said peeling involves peeling with aninitial peel force between 3 and 5 Newtons.
 72. The method of claim 64,further comprising, after said attaching, removing said cartridge fromsaid container.
 73. The method of claim 69 wherein said peeling includespulling on a plastic tab connected to a portion of said film thatextends beyond said sealing surface.
 74. The method of claim 69 furthercomprising, simultaneously with said peeling, gripping said container ata plurality of finger gripping structures on one or more exteriorsurfaces of said container.
 75. The method of claim 72 furthercomprising, prior to said attaching, guiding a handle connectingstructure of said handle over a lip extending from said container andinto a cartridge connecting structure of said cartridge.
 76. The methodof claim 75 wherein said guiding further comprises guiding said handleover a ramp structure connecting said lip to a container side wall. 77.The method of claim 72, further comprising, prior to said removing,disengaging said cartridge from retaining structure on the inside ofsaid container that retains said cartridge in desired position.
 78. Themethod of claim 69 wherein said peeling includes, upon removal of apeeling force, said film remaining attached to said seeling surface andfolded back to not obstruct said attaching.